Code Of Ethics For The Health Education Profession

Enjoying excellent sexual health and the freedom to chose what is right for the individual is embodied in the first Article of the Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession. It states that “When a conflict of issues arises among individuals, groups, organizations, agencies, or institutions, health educators must consider all issues and give priority to those that promote wellness and quality of living through principles of self-determination and freedom of choice for the individual” (Society for Public Health Education, 2018). For individuals to make informed decisions regarding the safety and enjoyment of their personal sexuality and physical well-being, health sex education should be utilizing the most current scientific evidence

Article V of the Code of Ethics outlines the public health educator’s responsibility with respect to ongoing research and evaluation of issues impacting pregnant women. Not only do changes in health care delivery impact the health outcomes of pregnant women, so to do the changing demographics of the pregnant mother. Maternal age is a predictor of certain morbidity issues with teens experiencing the highest rates of maternal sepsis, whereas women over the age of 45 had much higher morbidity rates of “acute cardiac, cardiomyopathy, renal failure, complications of obstetric interventions and ICU admissions” (Lisonkova, Potts, Muraca, Razaz, Sabr, Chan, & Kramer, 2017). This type of research is critical to adapting to the changing needs of today’s aging women seeking to become pregnant. Without such research the maternal mother and child could be at a higher risk of complications. Public health educators have a duty to uphold the privacy of any research participants and maintain the highest ethical conduct while conducting case studies. Although HIPPA laws protect participants individual privacy, how researchers maintain the integrity of the research and respect for the patient, enables further study completion critical to advancement of maternal

In witnessing the breastfeeding classes at WIC, here in Chesterfield County, the first impression was one of respect for the delivery method. Women participating in the class were clearly uneasy about being told how and why they should breastfeed exclusively for the infant’s health during the first six months. Women were asked if they would breastfeed their newborns and why/why not they felt compelled to do so. However, the facilitator followed that line of questioning with how it’s a women’s right to chose what is best for her and her body and that of her babies’ health. Many women chose to feed their infants formula for a variety of reasons. The information that followed on the benefits of both breastfeeding and providing an infant with formula were factual and sensitive to the needs of their culturally diverse clients. Additionally, the class was run by a bilingual health educator and had information both in English and in Spanish available to the pregnant